Bolster and method of making same



F 13, 1931 J. M. ROHLFING v BOLSTER AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 15, 1928 M hyzh;

R m 0MB m l V N n A Q p w Ai'TORNEY Oct. 13,1931.

J. M. ROHLFING BOLSTER AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed June 15. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Joli): B Y

Oct. 13, 1931. J. M. ROHLFING BOLSTER AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed June 15, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Air 39 zz ir a lllllllll- INVENTOR z 'ATTbRNEY Oct. 13, 1931. MROHLFlNG 1,827,404

BOLSTER AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed June 1.5. 1232s 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a 5 4 9 35 4 F W3 f cfi f g? 'z- 0 i ATT ORNEY .7 JOHN M. BOHLFING, OI PLAINI'IELD, NEW JERSEY,

FOUNDRY COMPANY, 01' NEW YORK, N. Y

nonsraa AND mrrnon or MAKING ma Patented Oct. 13, 1931 Application and June 15,

This invention relates to a fabricated article of manufacture and has particular ref erence to a bolster for railway car trucks theparts of which are united by electric welding to form a composite unitary structure.

Bolsters now in general use are formed either of cast metal or of structural material and castings or forgings united b rivets or the like to form a complete assem l but in the case of a complete cast bolster, it has been found that the usual casting defects which are not always detectable are present and may cause failures of the casting. In the riveted structures it is not always possible to obtain the full strength value of the material used because of the inability to obtain uniform riveting. The bolster of the present invention aims to eliminate the disadvantages aforesaid and to provide a bolster the parts of which are united in such a manner as to form a unitary assembly.

One object of the present invention is the provision of a truck olster for railway cars which is formed of sections of sheet metal united by electric welding to form a unitar whole whereby to produce a structure whic is composite and which is lighter in weight than bolsters ordinarily in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bolster for railway car trucks which is formed of sheet metal or the like, the parts of whichare united electrically to form a unitary structure.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tubular or hollow bolster for railway car trucks which is formed of sheet metal or the like, the four main walls of'which are continuously united electrically.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an article of manufacture of rolled metal united by fusion to form a unistructure.

targ nether object of the inventlon 1s the ro- -vision of a new and improved metho of forming bolsters.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a bolster fabricated from blank sheets of metal whereby waste of 'material is reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is the pro- :flanges or other Nr OFFICE A CORPORATION .01 NEW JEBS 192s. s mi no. -"2'as, ws.

whlch is composed of few parts, which is hghter than cast metal or riveted bolsters now 1n general use,'and which eliminates the parts necessary for rivetin In a bolster formed of the usual structural and (pressed parts and still further, is strong and urablem operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Flg. 1 is atop plan view of the bolster top cover plate; I V

Fig. 2 is a sectional .view of the bolster top cover plate;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bottom cover plate,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the bottom cover plate Fi 5 is a top plan view of the blank from whic the bolster webs and other elements are formed; the plate bein shown provided with lines indicating the fines along which the blank is cut;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the king pin 'plate showing the king pin barrel welded thereto Assrenoa rommcm can. nu:

vision of albolste ir for railway car trucks plan view of the center plate Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the bolster part shown in Fig- 12,. with the center plate stif feners secured thereto;

Fig. 14 is aside elevation of the bolster parts shown in Fig. 13, with the side bearing braces secured thereto;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the bolster part shown in Fig; 14, with the web braces welded thereto;

Fig. 16 is a sideelevation of the bolster 5 welded thereto;

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the bottom 4 cover plate showing the king pin barrel socket secured thereto:

- Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the bolster sec- 1 tion of Fig. 17, showing the bottom cover Figs. 1 to 11 disclose plate D,

plate secured thereto;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19; v V

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view of the bolster showing the center plate secured thereto;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21-

Fig. 23 is a side elevation of the assembled bolster showing the column guides and side bearings secured thereto;

Fig. 24 is a top plan view of the bolster shown in Fig. 23;

I Fig. 25 is a sectional view on the line 2525 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a sectional view on the line 26-26 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 27 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a modified form of the bolster, and

Fig. 28 is a top plan viewof the modified form of bolster shown 'in Fig. 27, certain parts being shown in section.

Referring now generally to the drawings, the several parts of the bolster, and Figs. 12 to 24 disclose successively the steps in the construction of the bolster, the completed bolster being shown in Figs. 23 and 24.

As is well known, bolsters formed of cast metal sections often contain blow holes which are not visible to the eye but which obviously weaken the bolster and render the same liable to fracture or breakage and hence are, in effect, defective castings. Further in bolsters, the parts of which are riveted together, it is apparent that the full strength of the several parts of said bolster is not obtained, notwithstanding the extreme weight thereof. The present invention therefore contemplates the provision of a bolster which is of less weight than the usual cast metal bolsters and in which the several parts thereof are formed of metal which is not subject .to blow holes or other defects such as are likely to occur in a cast metal structure. and in which the several parts are united by electric welding to produce a unitary integral structure whereby the full strength of 'each of the several parts thereof is obtained. a

The bolster of the present invention comprises in the main a top cover plate A, a bottom cover plate B, web plates C, center and king pin barrel E, as shown in Figs. 23 and 24. The bolster also includes the column guides F and side bearings G.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the several parts of the bolster will first be particularly described, and then the manner of assembly will be distinctly pointed out, and referring now to Fig. 1, the top cover plate A is shown as being formed of a blank of sheet steel 2, which is pressed to the form shown in Fig. 2 to provide the centrally arranged flat surface 4 apertured as at 6, and the sloping end portions 8; the blank being of course predetermined as to size. I

The bottom cover plate is shown in Fig. 3 and initially comprises a blank of sheet steel which is pressed or otherwise formed to the form shown in Fig. 4 to provide the central depressed area and the upwardly sloping sides 12 which terminate in straight end portions 14, the straight end portions being substantially parallel to the depressed area 10. Like the top cover plate A, the bottom cover plate is also predetermined as to size to accord with the length of the finished bolster.

The bolster comprises the web plates C heretofore mentioned and they are formed from a substantially rectangular blank such as is shown in Fig. 5 in heavy lines. This single blank is designed to form the web plates C and other portions of the bolster to be hereinafter pointed out, and said blank therefore is cut by any suitable means along the light lines 17 indicated in the figure, whereby the upper and lower edges are oppositely tapered from points on each side of the center as shown at 18: the said top and bottom edges being therefore coinplemental to the contour of the top cover plate A. Simultaneously with the shaping of the upper and lower edges of the blank 15, the latter is also out along the lines to form the pieces 22. 24, 26, 28 and 30 which, as will be hereafter pointed out, provide side bearing braces. Web braces or stiffeners, center plate braces. king pin key and king pin barrel socket respectively. It will be apparent therefore that by cutting the blank 15 along the lines 20, as just described, a large amount of material which would otherwise be wasted, is utilized. thus minimizing the cost of production. And further the lines of cutting 20 form the blank to provide the webs C just mentioned, so that they are complemental to the contour of the bottom cover plate B shown in Fig. 4.

The piece 30 is then formed into a ring 32, as shown in Fig. 6. to serve as a socket for the king pin barrel as hereinafter described.

Figs. 7 and 8 disclose the blank and finished center plate respectively; the blank being formed of steel heavier than that of the blank 15, which blank is then punched to provide the aperture 31', and then formed into dish shape as shown in Fig. 8 to provide a base portion 36 and the annular flange 38.

Fig. 9 discloses the king pin barrel 39 and its assembled key 40, the latter bein piece 28 which has been previousl formed in the blank 15, as heretofore descri ved. The king pin barrel in the instance shown is tubular, although this is merely by way of example, and the lower end 42 of the barrel is reduced in diameter and is provided with opposed openings 44, through which the'key 40 is inserted; t e ke being welded into the king pin barrel as s own at 4:6. This Fig. 9 discloses one form of the king pin barrel and key, but it is to be understood that this is merely by way of example, and that other types of keys .and barrels may be employed within the spirit of the invention, and that the key may be connected to the king pin barrel in any desired or preferred manner.

Figs. 10 and 11 are views of columnguides associated with the bolster. The guides are designated generally at F and comprise the spaced flanges 47 which define a-channel 48' between them for the usual purpose, and

said guides also comprise the rearwardlyextending attaching flanges 49 which are, in effect, rearward extensions of the flanges 47.

Interposed between the attaching flanges 49 is a stiffening rib 51. The drawings disclose the type of column guide ust described, but obviously, within the spirit and scope of the invention, other forms of column guides such as may be desired or preferred may be employed. 7

The description so far pertains to the several parts of this new and improved bolster and the method of constructing the bolster will hereinafter be distinctly pointed out.- The method comprises,,i 1i themain; the formation of a trough-like 'structurefwith reinforclng elements or stifieners arranged transversely therein and welded thereto, andthen I the closing of the trough-like structure-by means of a cover late to form a tubular structure, all of which will now be described.

The top cover plate A shown in Fig. 1 is positioned as shown in Fig. 12, and the king pin barrel 39, with its previously secured key 4.0, is then-inserted in the aperture 6 and is electrically welded to the plate 16, as shown at 48; the weld being'annu'lar. as will be apparent. Then, transversely of the plate 16, and on each side of the barrel 39, the center plate stiffeners or braces 26 are arranged and then welded electrically to the. plate 16 on each side ofthe braces, as designated at 50. As the next step in the'method of the present invention, I weld the side bearing braces or stifi'eners 22 to said plate at points adjacent those to which the side bearings as hereinafter described are arranged on the completed bolster; the lines-of weld being indicated at 52. Adjacent the. side bearing braces, I then position the web stiffeners or braces 24 and electrically weld th same t the plate 16 as shown at54, said braces also .er to said only to the topvcover shown-in Fig. 18, the same formed a hollow body and the webs 56 together serving to reinforce the spring seat portion of the bolster. From' the description just given, it willbe obvious that I have provided a bolster top cover plate which has secured plate as shown in "Fig. 16'. Preferably each formed and just a the webs 56v are secured by electricfwelding to the top-cover web 56 is positioned on the top cover plate 16 adjacent the braces thereon, the latter be- 4 ing of such width thatthe sideedges thereof will nicely fit against and abut the webplate 56-asclearly shown in Fig. 17. The web plate 56 is then ufiiteclto the top cover plate by electrically welding-the lower plate' 16. on each side thereof, as shown( at 58, therebyv affording both an inside and an out-side weld'of the, plate 56.With the top cover plate, and eflecting a continuous union of the metal of both the web plate 56 and the cover late 16. The side edges of the braces, hereto ore described, are then welded, preferably electrically, to the webs 56 as shown at 57. The other web plate 56 is then secured to the top cover plate 16 in a manner similar to that justjdescribed with reference to the first-web plate 56, and the resulting structure is clearly'shown in Fig; 17, where it can be seen that theweb plates 56 and the top cover plate 16 and the several braces are all continuously connected in an integral composite structure; the braces being welded not plate but also to the webs 56, a rigid structure thus beingprovided.

As the next step inv the method of the present invention, the king pin socket 32 shown in Fig. 6 is then secured to the central depressed area -10 of the bottom cover plate as being electrically welded thereto as shown at 60. At this time, the bottom cover plate is placed on the bolster part shown in Fig. 17 and held thereto, and

the assembled partsthen inverted to the pobottom cover plate is then electrically welded to the websv has thus been sition'shown in Fig. 19. and the 56 as shown at 62. There 7 comprising the top and bottom cover plates with the several braces connecting said webs. The next step in the method comprises the welding of the bottom cover plate to the webs 56 at the inside of each end of said hollow body as shown at 64. In connection with the attachment of the bottom cover plate to the bolster portion shown in Fig. 17, it has been found, desirable in some instances to rovide a means whereby the'juncture of the ottom edge of the form-' cover plate and the webs 56 between the center plate braces and the web braces may be interiorly welded, and to that end, the modification shown in Figs. 27 and 28 has been provided, and in which figures it can be seen that the web plates 56 are provided with oppositely arranged openings 65 on each side of the center plate braces, which openings are more particularly of the form shown in Fig. 27. Such openings provide a means for permitting a welder to insert the tool and electrically weld the interior of the hollow body at the juncture of the webs 56 and the bottom cover plate, as shown at 66. These openings also provide a means for furnishing an additional reinforcement for the completed bolster, and to effect this, the tubular sleeves 68 are provided which, after the bottom cover plate and webs have been interiorly welded together, are inserted into the openings 65 and are secured to the webs 56 by being welded thereto as shown at 7 0. Aside from this reinforcing feature, the construction of the bolster shown in Figs. 27 and 28 is identical with that shown in the remalning figures of the drawings.

The center.plate shown in Fig. 8 is then )ositioned on the top cover plate A with the king pin barrel extended through the aperture in such center plate to form the usual king pin collar, and said center plate is firmly united with the top cover plate A and the said king pin barrel by means of welding as shown at 72, thereby providing in effect an integral structure including the top cover plate A, theking pin barrel and the center plate.

The column guides shown in Figs. 10 and 11 are then secured to the web plates 56 at each end of the structure so assembled and are electrically welded to said webs as shown at 7 4, and the side bearings G are then electrically welded to the top cover plate as shown at 76; the side bearings being arranged just above the side bearing braces heretofore described.

It has been found desirable to close the ends of the hollow body which has been formed as herein described, and to that end name plates 78 are provided which are electrically welded to the opposite ends of the bolster as shown at 80, thereby providing a substantially sealed hollow structure in which the possibility of formation of rust or oxidation of said structure is reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, it can be seen that because of the complete union of the several parts forming the device described, the usual oxidation and wear thereof, which is present in riveted structures, are eliminated and in effect a composite one piece article of manufacture has been formed.

The description herein pertains specifically to a bolster for railway car trucks, but by specifically reciting a bolster it is not to be understood that the invention is restricted solely to such an article of manufacture, as obviously other hollow articles of manufacture may be produced by the same method which will be useful in other arts besides that to which the'bolster appertains.

It is believed that the structure of the article described will ,be fully apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is further believed that the method outlined herein will be fully apparent to those familiar with such methods and no further elaborationis believed to be required. The drawings herein are for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that various changes in the form and proportions of the device shown and described may be made within the spirit of the present invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A welded bolster comprising sheet metal cover plates and web plates welded together to form a tubular structure, a king pin barrel welded to said cover plates and extending through one thereof, and reinforcing elements welded to the web plates and cover plates.

2. A welded bolster comprising sheet metal top and bottom cover plates and web plates interposed therebetween and internally and externally welded thereto, reinforcing elements welded to said cover and web plates, a king pin barrel secured to one of said cover plates and extending through the other cover plate and welded to the latter, a center plate welded to said other cover plate and throu h which the king pin barrel extends, an a reinforcing sleeve on either side of the king pin barrel extending between the web plates and welded thereto.

3. A welded bolster comprising sheet metal cover plates and sheet metal web plates 1nternally and externally welded together, a king pin barrel welded to the inner surface of one of said cover plates and projecting beyond the other cover plate and welded to the latter, a center plate welded to the outer surface of one of said cover plates and through which the king pin barrel extends,

and reinforcing elements welded to the web plates and cover plates.

4. An article of the class described comprising preformed sheet metal top and bottom cover plates and web plates united by weld metal to form a tubular structure, interior reinforcing elements welded to the cover and web plates, a king pin barrel socket welded to the bottom cover plate, a king pin barrel seated in said socket and extending through the top cover plate and welded thereto, and a center plate welded to said top cover plate and into which the king pin barrel extends.

5. The method of forming bolsters which comprises pressing sheet metal blanks to form top and bottom-cover plates, cutting a sheet metal blank to form pieces for two web plates, a king pin key, a king pin barrel socket and a plurality of braces, superimposing the web plates in spaced relation on the top cover plate and welding them externally and internally thereto, welding a king pin barrel to said top cover plate, welding the sheet metal braces to the top cover plate and said web plates, forming the king pin barrel socket from the before-mentioned piece cut from the aforesaid sheet metal blank and welding the same to the bottom cover plate, and then positioning the bottom cover plate on the previously formed bolster part and welding it thereto.

6. The method of forming bolsters which comprises cutting and shaping sheet metal blanks to form top and bottom cover plates and web plates respectively, arranging the web plates in spaced relation along opposite edges of the top cover plate and welding them thereto to form a trough like member, securing a king pin barrel to said top cover plate midway of its ends, welding braces in said trough like member to the top cover plate and web plates, securing a center plate to the top cover plate around the king pin barrel, positioning the bottom cover plate on the trough like member to form a tubular structure and welding said bottom cover plate to the web plates, and finally welding end closures to said tubular member.

' 7 An article of the class described comprising preformed sheet metal top and bottom cover plates and web" plates united by weld metal to form a tubular. structure, interior reinforcing elements welded to the cover and web plates, a king pin barrel socket welded to the bottom cover plate, a king pin barrel seated in said socket and extendin throu h the top cover plate and welded thereto, and a center plate welded'to said top cover plate and into which the king pin barrel extends, and to which it is welde 8. A welded railway car bolster comprisingtop and bottom cover plates, spaced web plates interposed between thecover plates and weldedto the side edges thereof to form a unitar tubular structure cross pieces extending etween the web plates andwelded thereto and to the cover plates, and a king 'pin barrel supported by the bottom ,cover plate and pro ecting through and above the top cover plate and welded to the latter.

9. In a welded bolster, a marginally flanged center plate, and a king pin barrel having its upper end arranged concentrically within and welded to the center plate to define a part thereof.

' 10. In a welded bolster, a combined center, late and king pin barrel comprising a disc aving a marginal flange, and a tubular memher having its upper end extended through the disc and welded thereto.

11. In a welded bolster, a combined center plate and king pin barrel comprising a disc having a mar inal flange and a central opening, and a tu ular member arranged in said opening and welded to the disc and having its upper edge on a horizontal plane above the edge of the said marginal flange.

12. A bolster comprising top and bottom cover plates, web plates connecting said cover plates, a center plate welded to the top cover plate, and a king pin barrel supported by the bottom cover plate and extending through and beyond the top cover plate and welded to the latter, said extended end of the king pin barrel defining the center plate retaining ring.

13. A bolster comprising a hollow structure having top and bottom cover plates, web plates welded to said cover plates, a center plate welded to the top cover plate, and a king pin barrel supported by the bottom cover plate and extended through and beyond the center plate to define the center plate retaining ring, said king pin barrel being welded to the top cover plate and center plate.

14. A bolster comprising top and bottom' cover plates and web plates welded together to form a hollow structure, a center plate welded to the top cover plate, a king pin barrel welded to the top cover plate and having its upper end extended into the center plate and welded thereto to 'forma part of said center plate. a

15. A bolster formed of "sheet metal arts welded together and comprising top and bot tom cover plates, web plates welded to said cover plates adJacent the longitudinal edges of the latter, stiffening elements welded to said web plates and cover plates on each side of the transverse center line of the bolster a g center plate welded to the top cover plate, and

a king pin barrel supported by the bottom cover plate and extending through the top cover plate and center plate and secured to the latter. 1

In witness whereofI have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN M. RQHLFIN G. 

